Pathum Thani (Thailand), April 2 (NationPress) The Indian U20 women’s national squad faced a crushing 0-6 setback against Japan in their inaugural match of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026, held at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand, on Thursday. The Young Nadeshiko took a 1-0 lead by halftime.

Japan, a six-time champion, opened the scoring early with an own goal from Thoibisana Chanu Toijam at the 12-minute mark. However, it was the second half where they truly dominated the Young Tigresses, with Miki Kimura (54’), Noa Fukushima (57’), Natsumi Tago (75’), Miyu Matsunaga (81’), and Yura Honda (87’) each contributing a goal.

In their first Asian Cup appearance in two decades, India started positively, with Shubhangi Singh and Sulanjana Raul effectively working together on the left flank to set up Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, whose low cutback was intercepted.

Japan quickly countered, as Kimura hit the crossbar just two minutes later with a powerful left-footed shot.

The early lead came through some fortune when Fukushima's precise free-kick from the right found defender Mitsuki Ota’s head, but a deflection off Thoibisana altered its course, resulting in the own goal.

Despite the evident disparity in skill, India continued to seek a comeback. Monalisha made a crucial save against Anon Tsuda in the 21st minute, while Sulanjana's impressive run down the left almost paid off with a low cross that narrowly missed Lhingdeikim.

As the half-hour approached, India began to assert themselves, with a 24th-minute free-kick from Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam finding Thoibisana in the Japan box, though she was ruled offside.

While India performed admirably in the first half, Japan tightened their control in the second. Just five minutes after the restart, Fukushima struck the woodwork from a free-kick.

Four minutes later, Japan doubled their lead; Haruko Suzuki’s cross eluded everyone and reached Kimura, who cut in and fired a left-footer that slipped past India’s goalkeeper, Monalisha Devi Moirangthem.

Fukushima extended the lead to 3-0 in the 57th minute, skillfully pushing the ball past the Indian keeper after being set up in the box.

Joakim Alexandersson's team appeared disorganized, and a long-range shot from Tago made it 4-0, striking the inside of the upright on its way in.

In the final minutes, Matsunaga and Honda each added a goal, concluding a dominant performance by Japan. With this victory, the Young Nadeshiko sit atop Group C in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, while India finds themselves at the bottom.

Earlier in the day, Australia secured a 5-0 win against Chinese Taipei, placing them second in the group, while Chinese Taipei is third. The top two teams, along with two of the best third-placed teams from the three groups, will advance to the knockout stage. India’s next matches are against Australia on April 5 at 14:30 IST and against Chinese Taipei on April 8.